1169 And Counting.....

Sunday, February 07, 2010

TIME IS ON THE SIDE OF NA FIANNA ÉIREANN !

The NFÉ fund-raiser , held last night (and this morning!) [Sat/Sun 6th/7th Feb 2010] in the 79'r pub in Ballyfermot was more of a success than the organisers were prepared for : extra chairs had to 'borrowed' (!) from the downstairs bar (and smuggled up as best as possible - extra headache for the RSF bouncers!) and 'extra' stage entertainment had been organised , a fact which the local organising committee kept secret as they knew they had more than the fill of the place as it was, from local people and, as such , there was no point in advertising the 'extras' any further afield , as there simply wouldn't have been space available for an influx of 'outsiders'!

Chris Carney.

Pato and Paddy.

Peter Kerins and Friends.

Crowd scene-at the start of the night!

As well as the ever-brilliant Pato Cullen , Peter Kerins and Friends were on stage for about an hour , as were Bruscar , Celtic Wing , Paddy Kennedy ('The Lonesome Whistler'!) and - sly dogs that they are for keeping this one 'under wraps' - the unbelievable Chris Carney, who again stunned all in the venue and even had the bar staff out on the floor , from behind the counter, to get a better vantage point.
Actually , at one point , I thought that the inclusion of Chris was going to lead to a fist fight between the local RSF crew and those from nearby areas , as the latter were heard loudly proclaiming , in earshot of the former, that , had they known that Chris was on the bill , they would have insisted that the entrance fee be ten Euro , not five !

5 of the 12 raffle prizes.

As well as that massive line-up on stage , the organisers had secured 12 items for the raffle : 2 bodhróns , 1 framed 'Celtic Champions'-etched mirror , 1 'Seán South/Seán Glynn' wood print , 1 Mayo Hunger-Strikers CD , 1 framed 'Irish Freedom Fighters'-etched mirror , 2 republican-themed wall clocks , 1 framed Bobby Sands-etched mirror ,1 'Republican Resistance' framed wood burn , 1 'Political Status For Political Prisoners' framed wood burn and 1 bottle of 'Highland Park' whiskey. All items were won and claimed on the night , with three of them sold immediately by their 'new owner' and the money donated to Na Fianna Éireann - a surprising and wecomed extra 'gift' , gratefully received by the NFE reps present , one of whom - in full uniform - delivered a powerful and well-received statement from the stage in which he confirmed that the Na Fianna Éireann organisation would continue to do as it had done over the 101 years since its formation - '...to give its support to true and sincere republicans accepting , like them , no compromises..' .

Pics of some of the rest of the prizes on the night ...

'Bobby Sands' mirror.

'Irish Freedom Fighters' mirror.

'Continuity' wall clock.

Framed POW's Portlaoise/Maghaberry wood print.

...and finally : a few words about an up-coming gig that will be held in the 79'r pub on Saturday May 8th 2010 - a Commemorative 'Bobby Sands Ballad Session' , featuring , amongst others , The Beermats, Pato Cullen and Paddy Sweeney, to remember the sacrifice of the 22 Irish Republicans that have died on hunger-strike between 1917 and 1981 ,for the Cause of Irish Freedom , has been organised by Republican Sinn Féin Poblachtach. Doors will open at 8.30pm , admission per person will be €5 and a "Monster Raffle" will be held on the night. We will publish more details about this event between now and then -

A Commemorative Hunger-Striker Ballad Session , for all 22 Irish Republican hunger strikers who died between 1917 and 1981 , will be held in the 79'r pub in Ballyfermot , Dublin , on Saturday 8th May 2010. More details later...

- thanks for reading!
Sharon.

Wednesday, February 03, 2010

Aitheasc an Uachtaráin Ruairí Ó Brádaigh don 85ú Ard-Fheis de Shinn Féin in Óstlann an Spa , Leamhcán , Co. Atha Cliath , 21ú agus 22ú Deireadh Fómhair , 1989 /
Presidential Address of Ruairí Ó Brádaigh to the 85th Ard-Fheis of Sinn Féin in the Spa Hotel , Lucan , County Dublin , 21st and 22nd October 1989.....

" In welcoming also the release of the South African freedom fighters I must point out , as I did at our Ard-Fheis two years ago , that Nelson Mandela and all his comrades could have been released many years ago , if they signed a pledge rejecting the use of physical force. That they still refuse to do so and they deserve our applause for their admirable adherence to principle that will bring them victory . No "working the system" there !

Our members were active at the end of 1988 in mobilising public support throughout the country against Britain's attempt to have Fr.Paddy Ryan extradited from Belgium and subsequently from the 26-County state. We pointed out that the making permanent of political extradition on December 6th - 67 years to the day after the signing of the partition Treaty - by the Fianna Fáil administration would make Mr Charles Haughey Britain's principal agent in Ireland.

This total collaboration by the 26-County neo-colonial state recognises Britain's 'right' to be in Ireland and betrays the right of the Irish people to self-determination without interference by any outside power - the same right recognised by France and Belgium who have recently given more protection to Irish citizens than Mr Haughey . Mrs. Thatcher's objective in signing the Hillsborough Security Pact -the securing of a client state in the south of Ireland prepared to hand over even its own citizens to an occupying power - had been achieved. "
(MORE LATER).

BETRAYAL.......
The (State) Gardaí used John Corcoran (pictured) as a (P)IRA informer. They allowed him to be killed by another (P)IRA informer, and have since refused to investigate his murder*.
From 'MAGILL' magazine, Christmas Annual 1997.
By Ursula Halligan and Vincent Browne.
(* '1169...' Comment - their word, not ours.)

A garda with intimate knowledge of the John Corcoran affair said to 'Magill' on the evening of Monday December 8th , that "...it is well known within the gardaí that someone had been sacrificed for the greater good.." . He said that Corcoran's 'handler' failed to appreciate the significance of information that was being sent up from Corcoran to garda headquarters. " Corcoran was reporting on Sean O' Callaghan's movements. Certain safeguards should have been taken [at garda headquarters] . It should have seen a possible conflict and pulled back."

He said that Corcoran's garda 'handler' was "...truly shocked by what happened.." and said that the 'handler' was not contacted for several days after Corcoran's body was found and that this was " highly unusual."

"This whole thing [the story about the murder* of John Corcoran] is very dangerous and they [the gardaí] will do anything to stop it...."
(MORE LATER).

TRADE UNIONS AND THE HUNGER-STRIKE.
From 'IRIS' magazine, November 1981.

The resolution was recently explained to this magazine by Philip Flynn : " The section of that resolution which applies most directly to the present hunger-strike , basically states that deprivation of liberty is sufficient punishment for any 'crime' , and that the prison regime which obtains subsequent to a person's incarceration should be as conclusive as possible to a dignified and humane existence for prisoners and warders.

This resolution encompasses the spirit of the five demands of the protesting prisoners and was understood , at the time it was being carried , by all involved as a statement of principle in relation to the then two-year-old struggle against criminalisation . The debate was also greatly influenced by the murder of Brian Maguire.

Brian Maguire was a prominent Belfast activist in the AUEW/TASS, a British-based white collar trade union for people working in the engineering industry - the Irish section of which has a left-wing tradition . In May 1978 , Brian Maguire was taken to Castlereagh torture centre for interrogation about the shooting of an RUC man.......
(MORE LATER).

Tuesday, February 02, 2010

Fund-raiser for Na Fianna Éireann to be held in Dublin , February 2010...

A ballad session to raise funds for Na Fianna Éireann will be held in the 79'r pub in Ballyfermot , Dublin , on Saturday 6th February 2010....

Pato Cullen , during one of his many radio interviews.

...local balladeer legend Pato Cullen will be joined on stage by equally-talented singers of Irish ballads for what promises to be a fantastic night !
Admission tickets (at €5 per person) are available from the usual sources (and 30 are being held back for sale at the door on the night) , doors open at 9pm , and a raffle for various Irish Republican items (bodhráns,t-shirts etc) will be held during the break.
All Welcome !
Thanks!
Sharon.

Saturday, January 30, 2010

BLOODY SUNDAY PROTEST , DUBLIN , SATURDAY 30th JANUARY 2010.

"...Never Forget.."

On a dry day ,in 'warmish' sunshine , with a very cool breeze , about 50 republicans and supporters held a two-hour protest today on the traffic isle in O' Connell Street , Dublin city centre , to mark the 38th Anniversary of 'Bloody Sunday'.
The protest , which was organised by Republican Sinn Féin Poblachtach ,was the 37th such protest the organisation has held in Dublin in relation to that massacre : they held their 1st Anniversary protest in that spot in 1973!

Some of the protestors , as seen from the GPO.

A total of one thousand eight hundred A4-size information leaflets (in 'packs/booklets' of three) were distributed to the public during the protest and were that well received that the same amount again , if they had been available ,could have easily been distributed! RSF President Des Dalton and John Horan , RSF Dublin , addressed the crowds over the two-hour period , and both stressed , amongst other things , the very real danger that another 'Bloody Sunday' could happen in the Occupied Six Counties as the Westminster parliament still claims military and political jurisdiction over that area of Ireland.

From 'Bloody Sunday' to the Dublin Spire...

A reporter from a French radio station interviewed one of the RSF organisers in a ten-minute session , and a photojournalist from 'Demotix.com' was on site for just under one hour , capturing images which , she hoped , her Editor would publish in the next day or two ! Apart from the by-now usual (but unwelcome) interference by the State political police , the two-hour protest was a massive success , with new contacts made and offers of support from the public received and logged by the organisers for future reference and over 100 copies of the 'Saoirse' newspaper sold at the protest. It was an extremely well-received and well-organised protest , for which the organisers are to be congratulated!

'Bloody Sunday Must Never Be Forgotten!'

A more detailed report , and more photographs , will be published in the February 2010 issue of 'Saoirse' , which goes to print on Wednesday next ,the 3rd of that month. Thank You for reading!
Slán go foill anois,
Sharon.

Friday, January 29, 2010

BLOODY SUNDAY , DERRY , 1972...

BLOODY SUNDAY PICKET , SATURDAY , JANUARY 30th , 2010.
Venue : The GPO in Dublin's O'Connell Street , from 12 Noon to 2pm.

After a peaceful Civil Rights march on January 30th , 1972 - from Creggan to Free Derry Corner - units of the British army Parachute Regiment opened fire with automatic rifles and shot dead 13 unarmed civilians , injuring many more . It was later revealed that some days prior to the massacre , the British soldiers involved had been briefed to "...shoot to kill.." at the march .

" This Sunday became known as 'Bloody Sunday' and bloody it was . It was quite unnecessary . It strikes me that the (British) army ran amok that day and shot without thinking of what they were doing . They were shooting innocent people . They may have been taking part in a parade which was banned , but that did not justify the troops coming in and firing live rounds indiscriminately . I would say without reservations that it was sheer unadulterated murder . It was murder , gentlemen . "
- the words of British Major Hubert O'Neill , Derry City Coroner, at the conclusion of the inquests on the 13 people killed by the British Army .
On Saturday January 30th next , a picket to mark the 38th Anniversary of that massacre will be held at the GPO in Dublin , from 12 Noon to 2pm . All welcome !
Thanks!
Sharon.

Wednesday, January 27, 2010

Aitheasc an Uachtaráin Ruairí Ó Brádaigh don 85ú Ard-Fheis de Shinn Féin in Óstlann an Spa , Leamhcán , Co. Atha Cliath , 21ú agus 22ú Deireadh Fómhair , 1989 /
Presidential Address of Ruairí Ó Brádaigh to the 85th Ard-Fheis of Sinn Féin in the Spa Hotel , Lucan , County Dublin , 21st and 22nd October 1989.....

" The announcement by the British was timed to make publicity and political capital in the same way as the South African apartheid regime announced the release of eight PAC and ANC political prisoners , some of whom had been held for up to 28 years , to influence the Commonwealth Conference in Kuala Lumpur this week and in particular to strengthen the anti-sanctions lobby led by Mrs. Thatcher.

Indeed their acting in concert on the international arena , their sharing of almost identical censorship laws , catch-all conspiracy laws and rascist attitudes , the British and South African regimes are more and more resembling an 'International League of Oppressors' .

The publicity expressed views of David Evans MP for Welwyn and Hatfield , for instance, would surely be as acceptable in Pretoria as in London : Mr Evans announced at the Conservative Party conference in Blackpool this month that he was , and I quote, - "a hanger and a flogger and I would shut Northern Ireland off from the press and media and send the SAS in and hang the bloody lot of them ".
Aithnionn ciaróg ciaróg eile! "
(MORE LATER).

BETRAYAL.......
The (State) Gardaí used John Corcoran (pictured) as a (P)IRA informer. They allowed him to be killed by another (P)IRA informer, and have since refused to investigate his murder*.
From 'MAGILL' magazine, Christmas Annual 1997.
By Ursula Halligan and Vincent Browne.
(* '1169...' Comment - their word, not ours.)

The murdered * man was John Corcoran, then aged 45 and father of eight children , living in Ballyvolane , a suburb of Cork city. In a statement issued following his murder * , the IRA claimed that he had been "executed" because , as an IRA member, he had given information to the 'security forces' in the 26 Counties.

The man who has claimed his part in the murder * is Seán O' Callaghan who , at the time, was the chief garda informant within the IRA. O' Callaghan has claimed that, even though he was then operating within the IRA to prevent the loss of lives , he took part in the murder* of John Corcoran to protect his cover as an informer.

O' Callaghan has also claimed that he fully briefed his garda 'handler' of the capture and detention of John Corcoran but that the gardaí failed to intervene to save Corcoran's life.......
(MORE LATER).

TRADE UNIONS AND THE HUNGER-STRIKE.
From 'IRIS' magazine, November 1981.

Meeting for their annual conference in 1978 , the delegates to the Irish Congress of Trade Unions adopted a resolution on prison reform - the major points of which were statements of principle as to how a modern penal service should be run.

The resolution was carried , after intensive lobbying, by delegates , who supported the protesting prisoners in the H-Blocks and Armagh . Notable among those lobbyists was Philip Flynn, deputy general secretary of the white-collar Local Government and Public Services Union, who is currently a member of the Sinn Féin National Executive.

In a brief interview , Philip Flynn explained to this magazine what was being expressed by that particular motion.......
(MORE LATER).

Friday, January 22, 2010

REPUBLICAN PRISONERS DEMAND RIGHT TO ORGANISE THEIR OWN LANDING.
Statement from the Republican Sinn Féin PoW Department:
"The denial of a separate landing for the CIRA PoWs in Portlaoise prison is part of a policy to criminalise the continued Irish Republican resistance to British rule in Ireland. Since 1917, 22 Irish Republicans have died in defence of their right to political status.
In the 1940s the Republican Prisoners in Portlaoise were among the first ‘Blanketmen’ in opposition to criminalisation. In the 1970s Republican prisoners endured a 47-day hunger strike.
The Republican prisoners in Portlaoise today are defending the same right to political status because they are part of the same struggle.
The CIRA prisoners demand their right to a separate landing. The CIRA PoWs' demand is simple – they want to continue to be treated as political prisoners - as other groups in the jail are."

IRISH REPUBLICAN PRISONERS ARE NOT CRIMINALS.....
...and Irish Republicans will not stand by while the Free State administration attempts to treat them as such.

Portlaoise Prison protest : the Free State regime are attempting to place Irish Republican POW's on the same prison landing where criminals are presently incarcerated in Portlaoise Prison. A protest against this injustice will be held outside the prison on SATURDAY 23rd JANUARY 2010 from 10am to 4pm.
All those concerned about this latest attempt to criminalise the on-going struggle to remove the unwanted British political and military presence from Ireland are asked to attend this protest. We have political prisoners because of this political conflict ; they are not 'criminals' and we will not stand by as attempts are made to treat them as such.
Portlaoise Prison protest, Saturday 23rd January 2010 , 10am to 4pm.
Thanks!
Sharon.

Wednesday, January 20, 2010

Aitheasc an Uachtaráin Ruairí Ó Brádaigh don 85ú Ard-Fheis de Shinn Féin in Óstlann an Spa , Leamhcán , Co. Atha Cliath , 21ú agus 22ú Deireadh Fómhair , 1989 /
Presidential Address of Ruairí Ó Brádaigh to the 85th Ard-Fheis of Sinn Féin in the Spa Hotel , Lucan , County Dublin , 21st and 22nd October 1989.....

" This also applies to the Broadcasting Ban which , like Mr Collins' censorship law in the 26 Counties , specifically names our organisation , to the reduction of remission for political prisoners , the ending of the right to silence and the making permanent of the rascist 'Prevention of Terrorism Act'.

We would point out that the very first victims of the 'PTA' 15 years ago were Gerard Conlon , Carole Richardson , Paul Hill and Patrick Armstrong , known to the world now as the 'Guildford Four' and whose release from their living hell in British jails this week we have welcomed.

We recognise however that the British are cynically using Irish prisoners in this instance as bargaining counters in their security conferences with the 26-County administration to guarantee continued collaboration from Dublin. The Free State, for its own part , engaged in similar shadow-boxing the week before despite having handed over Gerard Harte, Robert Russell and Paul Kane in successive political extraditions to their political masters in the past 14 months."
(MORE LATER).

BETRAYAL.
The (State) Gardaí used John Corcoran (pictured) as a (P)IRA informer. They allowed him to be killed by another (P)IRA informer, and have since refused to investigate his murder*.
From 'MAGILL' magazine, Christmas Annual 1997.
By Ursula Halligan and Vincent Browne.
(* '1169...' Comment - their word, not ours.)

There is evidence that the gardaí knew in advance of IRA plans to murder * a Cork man in 1985 and that , although they were aware of where the man was being held, they failed to intervene to save his life.

In addition, there is substantial evidence of garda reluctance to investigate the murder * , including a failure on their part to interview a man who has acknowledged his part in the murder * and supplied details of the circumstances surrounding it.

There is evidence of ongoing garda reluctance to investigate this case in spite of a direction by the new (State) minister for justice, John O' Donoghue, to present a full report into the affair . There are even suggestions that gardaí may have "authorised" the murder * of this man , in order to protect the identity of one of their prime informers.......
(MORE LATER).

THE CAMPAIGN AGAINST HEROIN IN DUBLIN....... The drugs crisis is one of the major problems facing young people in Dublin today. In large areas of the city it has now reached massive proportions , while in the inner city there is estimated to be a higher percentage of drug addicts and drug abusers than in Harlem in New York . But it has been only recently - 5 years after this epidemic began in earnest - that any notice has been paid to the problem. And even now the Free State government has failed to confront the crisis in a meaningful way . Tony Barry of Na Fianna Eireann has been looking at the issues for 'IRIS' magazine.
From 'IRIS' magazine, December 1984.

Tony Barry : " What do you think is the role that the 26-county administration can play in this ? "

Noel Sillery : " If you had a half-decent administration they would and should have a role to play , but they don't give a damn. As far as we can see , with all the harassment we've received, it seems that they nearly want the drug problem in our area. If it moved out into middle-class areas it would be solved in half the time.

So far as the cops are concerned , the drugs problem makes their jobs easier. All they have to do is pick up one or two addicts , bring them in for a few hours , milk them for all the information they can get and then let them go."

[END of 'THE CAMPAIGN AGAINST HEROIN IN DUBLIN']
(NEXT - 'Trade Unions And The Hunger-Strike' , from 1981)

Saturday, January 16, 2010

BLOODY SUNDAY PICKET , SATURDAY , JANUARY 30th , 2010 .
Venue : The GPO in Dublin's O'Connell Street , from 12 Noon to 2pm .

After a peaceful Civil Rights march on January 30th , 1972 - from Creggan to Free Derry Corner - units of the British army Parachute Regiment opened fire with automatic rifles and shot dead 13 unarmed civilians , injuring many more . It was later revealed that some days prior to the massacre , the British soldiers involved had been briefed to "...shoot to kill.." at the march .

" This Sunday became known as 'Bloody Sunday' and bloody it was . It was quite unnecessary . It strikes me that the (British) army ran amok that day and shot without thinking of what they were doing . They were shooting innocent people . They may have been taking part in a parade which was banned , but that did not justify the troops coming in and firing live rounds indiscriminately . I would say without reservations that it was sheer unadulterated murder . It was murder , gentlemen . "
- the words of British Major Hubert O'Neill , Derry City Coroner, at the conclusion of the inquests on the 13 people killed by the British Army on Bloody Sunday .
On Saturday January 30th next , a picket to mark the 38th Anniversary of that massacre will be held at the GPO in Dublin , from 12 Noon to 2pm . All welcome !
Thanks!
Sharon.

Wednesday, January 13, 2010

Aitheasc an Uachtaráin Ruairí Ó Brádaigh don 85ú Ard-Fheis de Shinn Féin in Óstlann an Spa , Leamhcán , Co. Atha Cliath , 21ú agus 22ú Deireadh Fómhair , 1989 /
Presidential Address of Ruairí Ó Brádaigh to the 85th Ard-Fheis of Sinn Féin in the Spa Hotel , Lucan , County Dublin , 21st and 22nd October 1989.....

" Republicans, however , have always endeavoured to expose the contradictions of British leaders who, while directing their dirty war in Ireland, brazenly attempt to tell the world that "the rule of law" and "due process" are in operation in her courts.

Another aspect of this hypocrisy is 'moving the goalposts' by ministerial order as was done with the announcement of the re-imposition of restricted elections in the Six Counties by the introduction of political test oaths designed to exclude Republicans from public life at local council level.

A similar political test oath kept Republicans out of the councils in the Six Counties from 1922-1973 and the complete failure of such undemocratic restrictions - and Republicans deny the claim of Britain to pass any laws for any part of Ireland - can be seen in the continuing state of revolt there for the past 20 years. Opposition to British rule , far from being smothered by restricted access to unfair elections , blazes up in other and more active means of struggle .

The British , it seems , cannot learn the lessons of history and are therefore condemned to repeat them , to all our costs....."
(MORE LATER).

WHERE DO THE DRUGS GO ?
The official line is that the evidence is finally taken under guard to a certain multinational chemical-processing company that is under contract to the State Department of Justice to dispose of the substances and the packaging.......
From 'MAGILL' magazine , March 1988. By Marguerite Barry.

A quick phone call to the person in charge confirms that , yes , there is in fact an incinerator and everything is destroyed by exposure to massive temperatures .

There is no history of raids as the drugs are transported , no reports of evidence going missing and no 'mini-incinerations' in the van on the way there . According to the official line , that is. But we've all heard tall tales before.

[END of 'Where Do The Drugs Go ?']
(Next - 'Betrayal : State Gardai And a (P)IRA Informer' , from 1997)

THE CAMPAIGN AGAINST HEROIN IN DUBLIN....... The drugs crisis is one of the major problems facing young people in Dublin today. In large areas of the city it has now reached massive proportions , while in the inner city there is estimated to be a higher percentage of drug addicts and drug abusers than in Harlem in New York . But it has been only recently - 5 years after this epidemic began in earnest - that any notice has been paid to the problem. And even now the Free State government has failed to confront the crisis in a meaningful way . Tony Barry of Na Fianna Eireann has been looking at the issues for 'IRIS' magazine.
From 'IRIS' magazine, December 1984.

Tony Barry : " What has been the result of the action the community has taken ? "

Noel Sillery : " Well , we're not 100% free of drugs . We have drug addicts living in the flats . Now I might add that while we're trying to get rid of the drug pushers , we're also trying to help the addicts that are living in the flats.

Any drug addict wanting help is given great moral support . They are accompanied down to Jervis Street by two of our lads , we stay with them while they are treated and they are brought back again. We have tried to do as much as possible for our drug addicts . We aren't running a negative campaign , its purpose has also been to try to help. "
(MORE LATER).

Sunday, January 10, 2010

Wednesday, January 06, 2010

Agus fáilte arís - Great to be back ! We enjoyed our wee break , but there's work to be done....

Aitheasc an Uachtaráin Ruairí Ó Brádaigh don 85ú Ard-Fheis de Shinn Féin in Óstlann an Spa , Leamhcán , Co. Atha Cliath ,21ú agus 22ú Deireadh Fómhair , 1989 /
Presidential Address of Ruairí Ó Brádaigh to the 85th Ard-Fheis of Sinn Féin in the Spa Hotel , Lucan , County Dublin , 21st and 22nd October 1989.

" A Chathaoirligh , a Theachtaí , is a chairde ar fad. Fearaim fíor-chaoin fáilte rómhaibh ag an Ard-Fheis seo, an 85ú cheann de Shinn Féin . You are all most welcome to this, the 85th Ard-Fheis of Sinn Féin.

There have been many important developments since last we met in national convention. The onslaught of repressive measures by the British government , announced this time last year, was characterised by Sinn Féin Poblachtach at the time as a further admission of British failure to rule in Occupied Ireland by the consent of the people.

And in defending the imposition of Section 31-style censorship on the British broadcasting media and the ending of a prisoners right to silence during interrogation one year ago this week , Mrs Thatcher admitted to the London Times newspaper on October 26 that a war situation existed in the Six Counties. The relatives of the Gibraltar victims or the Winchester Three, needless to say, had no need to be told of that self-evident fact, as they witnessed the true face of ruthless colonialism in action......"
(MORE LATER).

WHERE DO THE DRUGS GO ?
The official line is that the evidence is finally taken under guard to a certain multinational chemical-processing company that is under contract to the State Department of Justice to dispose of the substances and the packaging.......
From 'MAGILL' magazine , March 1988. By Marguerite Barry.

When the court case is over and the appeal period has expired , the entire amount of cannabis , cocaine or whatever can be destroyed . This can mean storing drugs as evidence for years , depending on the complexity of the case.

Some substances are given in tiny amounts under special dispensation for government-funded research at university laboratories , and some research is also carried out at the forensic lab. Otherwise, the 'official' line is that the evidence is finally taken under guard to a certain multinational chemical-processing company that is under contract to the State Department of Justice to dispose of the substances and their packaging.

We made a phone call to the man in charge.......
(MORE LATER).

Saturday, January 02, 2010

DÁITHÍ Ó CONAILL COMMEMORATION , FRIDAY JANUARY 1st 2010 , GLASNEVIN CEMETERY, DUBLIN.

Des Dalton , RSF President, delivering the oration at the 19th Anniversary Commemoration for Dáithí O Conaill , New Years Day 2010.

Despite the heavy snow and dangerously frozen roads , the 19th Anniversary Commemoration for Irish Republican leader Dáithí O Conaill went ahead as planned on Friday 1st January 2010 , at the Republican Plot in Glasnevin Cemetery , Dublin .
Approximately 50 people , including an RSF Colour Party and a contingent from Na Fianna Éireann , marched from the main gates of the cemetery to the Republican plot , where the Chairperson , Andy Connolly, welcomed those present and spoke about his own personal recollection of working with Dáithí over the years until we lost him in 1991. Sinn Féin (Poblachtach) President , Des Dalton, , delivered the Main Oration during which he outlined the strong Irish Republican tradition which Dáithí came from -
"Dáithí Ó Conaill came from a strong Cork Republican family. His uncle Michael O’Sullivan (17) along with five of his comrades was bayoneted to death by British Crown forces in March 1921. Dáithí’s first active involvement in the Republican Movement came during the 26-County Local Elections in 1955 when at the age of 17 he joined Sinn Féin. By the end of the following year he was on active service as a Volunteer in the Irish Republican Army serving as an organiser under GHQ staff in Co Fermanagh...."
This is the full text of that Oration -
"The forces of history as they work themselves out tend to throw up people capable not only of recognising but more importantly seizing the moment. Such people are not content to merely witness history as it unfolds. Rather they are determined to take their place on the stage of history and play their part to the full. Dáithí Ó Conaill was such a man.
Ó Conaill in 1969/70 was a key member of a leadership who realised: ‘There is a tide in the affairs of men. Which, taken at the flood, leads on to fortune’. With his lifelong friend and comrade Ruairí Ó Brádaigh he ensured that the Republican Movement was prepared to take the tide of revolution at full flood.
By their actions they ensured the historic Republican Movement was not diverted from the path of revolutionary Irish Republicanism. For despite his youth he knew from his profound knowledge of Irish history that any diversion from this path led only to division and final absorption into the apparatus of British rule in Ireland.
Dáithí Ó Conaill came from a strong Cork Republican family. His uncle Michael O’Sullivan (17) along with five of his comrades was bayoneted to death by British Crown forces in March 1921. Dáithí’s first active involvement in the Republican Movement came during the 26-County Local Elections in 1955 when at the age of 17 he joined Sinn Féin. By the end of the following year he was on active service as a Volunteer in the Irish Republican Army serving as an organiser under GHQ staff in Co Fermanagh.
On January 1 1957 he was Second-in Command of the Pearse Column during the attack on Brookeborough RUC barracks which resulted in the deaths of two of his comrades Fearghal Ó hAnluáin, Co Monaghan and Seán Sabhat, Co Limerick. Four others were wounded including the column commander. This young man of 18 years took command and led a successful withdrawal back across the border – evading 400 RUC, B-Specials, two helicopters and the British army - where they were forced to retire. But as the historian Bowyer Bell pointed out: ‘not before the arms had been safely dumped’. From there he found himself in Mountjoy and the Curragh Concentration camp from where he escaped with his friend and comrade Ruairí Ó Brádaigh in September 1958.

He returned to active service and for a period was Director of Operations. He was critically wounded in an ambush by the RUC and B-Specials in Arboe, Co Tyrone on the shores of Lough Neagh in November 1959. He made his escape but was forced to seek help because of loss of blood and his weakened condition. Captured, he was sentenced to eight years which he served in Belfast’s Crumlin Road Jail. Following his release in 1963 he reported back to active service.
In 1969/70 again made his talents available to the Republican Movement. Ruairí Ó Brádaigh said of him he possessed "the ablest mind in the Republican Movement for over 20 years" . The sheer breadth of his ability and intellect was evidenced by his service to the All-Ireland Republic both militarily and politically. A lasting monument to his contribution to the freedom struggle is EIRE NUA. He had a central role in framing this historic document and remained a tireless advocate of EIRE NUA right up to his death in 1991.
Dáithí Ó Conaill never equivocated on what was the cause of the war in Ireland or what was required to deliver a just and lasting peace for all of the Irish people. Speaking in Belfast at Easter 1973 he said: "Today, the central issue in the war is one of conflict between Ireland’s right to freedom and England’s determination to keep us in subjection. All other issues are subordinate to this basic point. There can be no compromise on the fundamental issue as to who should rule Ireland: the British Parliament or the Irish people. We have had 800 years of British ineptitude in ruling Ireland; we have never known rule by the Irish, of the Irish, for the Irish. Until we do, we shall never enjoy peace and stability in our land."

The coming year presents us all with huge challenges but also opportunities. The two fronts on which it is essential that we engage in 2010 are political and economic. Last year and in recent days events on the ground in the Six Counties testified to the fact that British rule in Ireland will be met with resistance. The attacks on British crown forces and the wave of repression and resistance, which followed are evidence to the reality that the nature of British occupation in Ireland has not changed but neither has the attitude of a section of the Irish people.
The young people in the Six Counties who took on the forces of the British Crown were dismissed as ‘ A-political thugs’ or merely representing an ‘anti-social’ sub youth culture. We know what the truth is. These young people represent a new undefeated generation prepared to take on British rule in Ireland. They are young people simply taking their place in the latest phase of the historic struggle for Irish freedom.
It is our duty in Sinn Féin –the only political organisation representing the revolutionary Irish Republican tradition - to give political expression and leadership to this new generation.
The coming year is also likely to see an intensification of the normalisation of British rule and partition. Speaking on RTÉ television on Monday night (December 28) the 26-County President Mary McAleese signalled the possibility of a visit to the 26 Counties by the Queen of England. We in Sinn Féin equally signal our intention to oppose such a visit.
Mary McAleese’s use of the word ‘collegial’ in describing 26-County relations with the British state is worthy of note. The Concise Oxford English Dictionary 11th revised edition 2006 defines collegial as meaning: ‘belonging to or relating to shared responsibility.’ Or alternatively as one of a number of colleges belonging to the same university. This use of such language is a significant pointer as to the thinking of the political establishment in the 26-County State and how they view their relationship with Britain.
At this time we are also conscious of the Republican prisoners in both Portlaoise and Maghaberry. We extend them our greetings and pledge them our solidarity. Support for the Republican prisoners in Maghaberry in their fight for political status is vital in the coming year. By denying British attempts to ‘criminalise’ them the prisoners in Maghaberry are engaged in a battle to deny the British Government’s criminalisation of the Irish people’s historic struggle for national independence.
We must recognise like James Connolly: "If you remove the English army to-morrow and hoist the green flag over Dublin Castle, unless you set about the organisation of the Socialist Republic your efforts would be in vain."

A war is being waged on working people globally. Here the 26-County administration faced with a choice between taxing the rich or taking from the marginalised and vulnerable, have chosen to put their hands in the pockets of the poorest. Employers and the state are intent on rolling back any advance made by workers over the course of the last century. In the face of all this a weak and reformist trade union leadership were deliberately humiliated and wrong-footed by the Dublin administration in their vain attempts to lay the basis for yet another so-called ‘Partnership Agreement’.
Tinkering at the edges of a discredited and failed social and economic system is not enough. Real revolutionary political and economic change is demanded. In its obituary of Dáithí Ó Conaill SAOIRSE pointed out he ‘viewed the Republican Movement not as a political party, but as the main catalyst of progressive forces to achieve Irish Freedom.’ It is the role, which we must live up to.
We would do well to heed the advice of Connolly given to those intent on building a national movement over a century ago: "It must demonstrate to the people of Ireland that our nationalism is not merely a morbid idealising of the past, but is also capable of formulating a distinct and definite answer to the problems of the present and a political and economic creed capable of adjustment to the wants of the future."

Armed as we are with clearly thought out and radical programme for real political and economic democracy EIRE NUA and SAOL NUA we can take our rightful place in the vanguard of the struggle. The All-Republic for which we struggle has to be – returning to Connolly again – of such a character that: "...the mere mention of its name would at all times serve as a beacon-light to the oppressed of every land."

Just as imperialism is not confined to one country the solidarity in the fight against it must also be international. Over the coming year we must continue to develop our role in the international struggle against imperialism. We extend our greetings to all engaged in the noble quest for national liberation. We face a common enemy but also share the common goal of securing and defending the inalienable rights common to all peoples and nations.
Our work is clearly marked out for us. It is our duty to bring to the task all our energies and abilities. This is the most fitting tribute we can pay Dáithí Ó Conaill and all those who lie in this pantheon of our patriot dead. "Life springs from death; and from the graves of patriot men and women spring living nations" . "

A Decade of the Rosary was recited , a Lament for the Dead was played on a tin whistle , and the Flags were dipped . Following this sombre and respectable Commemoration , most of those present went to a near-by pub where the Organising Committee had arranged for hot and cold refreshments to be provided. We publish with our few words some photographs from the event , on which a full report will be published in the January issue of 'Saoirse' , which goes to print on Wednesday 6th January next.

Marching from the main gates to the Republican Plot.

Na Fianna Éireann members in Glasnevin Cemetery.

RSF Colour Party looks on as a Wreath is laid.

NFE members and a section of the crowd.

A full report , with other pics, will be published in this months issue of 'Saoirse' .Thanks!
Sharon.

Tuesday, December 29, 2009

REPUBLICAN COMMEMORATIONS:JANUARY 2010.

Dáithi Ó Conaill Commemoration , Friday, January 1st 2010 (New Year's Day) : Assemble at the Gates Of Glasnevin Cemetery , Dublin , at 12.45pm . Main Speaker - RSF President Des Dalton.

Seán Sabhat Commemoration , Sunday, January 3rd 2010 : Assemble at Bedford Row , Limerick at 1.45pm for Parade to Mount St Lawrence Cemetery. Main Speaker - Cathleen Knowles McGurk.

Feargal Ó hAnnluain Commemoration, Sunday January 10th 2010 : Assemble at the Cathedral , Monaghan, at 2pm , for the Parade to Latlurgan Cemetery. Main Speaker - Des Dalton.
Thanks!
Sharon.